Concessions à perpétuité
Patrick Rebeaud
1997 - 47 min - Hi 8 - Couleur - France

What can be done with archeological relies when these are discovered during city roadworks.
In France, under the best conditions, archeologists are called to take down statements. They save informations revealed by the past, and then nearly always destroy the ancient building "on the spot" in order to leave place to the modern works.
From 1993 to 1996, for the first time, a city excavation has been filmed entirely, with its discovering and adventures. The camera slipped in offices, meetings, as well as in the street, recording protests from some, silence from others, and emotion from all. For the discovering of a lot of Merovingian sarcophagus under the place Baudoyer in the heart of Paris made not only politicians, nearby neighbours, property developers nervous, but also archeologists. Street people thought that we were affecting the roots. As the excavations headman thinks to himself that he has saved these roots.
"Grant in perpetuity" does not take sides but shows openly the facts.